Cloris Leachman

actress
Born: 4/30/1926
Birthplace: Des Moines, Iowa

Leachman's skills as an actress range from comedy to high drama.In The Last Picture Show(1971), her portrayal of a lonely housewife received critical praise. Her zanier roles include that of Phyllis onThe Mary Tyler Moore Show, which led to her own series,Phyllis(1975–77). Leachman has appeared in films directed byMel Brooks, memorably playing the spell-binding comic terror Frau Blucher inYoung Frankenstein(1974). Other film appearances includeTexasville(1990),The Beverly Hillbillies(1993),Music of the Heart(1999), andSpanglish(2004). She has had a recurring role as the grandma from hell on TV'sMalcolm in the Middle.